I was thrilled to once again be a guest of Jan Buttram, Artistic Director, Abingdon Theatre Company, for tonight’s 16th Anniversary Gala at Tavern on the Green. It was a very eclectic evening, with an elegant cocktail reception surrounding a silent auction, all to benefit the worthy cause of a small theatre complex, Abingdon Theatre’s June Havoc Theatre and the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre. The plays at Abingdon are exemplary and sometimes experimental. Theatre like this survives on its subscribers and its patrons, both corporate and individual. The silent auction included rare and inviting gifts to tempt the Gala guests, as they mingled with the crowd and munched tartars and dumplings.

The Silent Auction items included a retro film poster, sculptures, designer dresses, skin care baskets, get-away weekends, tennis club membership, gourmet dinners in fine restaurants, book collections, fine jewelry, and much more. When the Silent Auction came to a close, the Gala guests took their seats for welcoming remarks from Timothy Speiss, Abingdon Board Chairman, and Tyne Daly, Mistress of Ceremonies. Ms. Daly is a stage and screen actress, having performed as Mama Rose in the 1989 “Gypsy” and as the mother in the 2006 play, “Rabbit Hole”. She is also the renowned TV detective, Mary Beth Lacey in the series “Cagney and Lacey”. She won 6 Emmys and 1 Tony and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Peter Brouwer, Live Auctioneer, who is also a trained actor, then proceeded with the first half of the Live Auction. He was, again, the best auctioneer I have heard. He never hesitated, using warmth, humor, and personality to coax the guests into raising their bids, even if they were reluctant. The Abingdon funding goals were easily met. Among the Live Auction Part #1 items were: Behind the Scenes at Fox News, Lunch with Marian Seldes, an Abingdon Honorary Board Member and Tony and Drama Desk winner, and a date for a French Culinary Institute-trained chef to prepare dinner for 2 or 4 at the winner’s home. Pamela Paul and Austin Pendleton, the AB* IE Awards winners this year, then read from “Polly and Paxton Go ‘Off’”. Ms. Paul and Mr. Pendleton were thrilled to receive these honors.

Ms. Paul is a founding member and was Co-Artistic Director of Abingdon for 14 years. Ms. Paul has appeared on Abingdon stages in many productions, such as “Cry Havoc”, “Glory Girls”, and “The Appointment”. She has numerous acting credits in theatre and film, plus producing and mentoring credits, as well. She is Abingdon’s New Play Development Advisor. Mr. Pendleton was Artistic Director of Circle Repertory Company and is in the ensemble of Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. He has appeared in “The Diary of Anne Frank”, “The Little Foxes”, and “Fiddler on the Roof”, among a multitude of theatre credits. At Abingdon, Mr. Pendleton was featured in “Another Vermeer” and has also directed at Abingdon and beyond. He’s now writing plays, teaching acting at HB Studio, and directing at The New School for Drama.

Mr. Brouwer soon commenced, with lightning speed and focused persistence, the Live Auction Part #2. Among the items for bid were: Private Wine Tasting for 14 at home, courtesy of Sequoia Grove Vineyards, 4 New York Rangers Club Seats, and a Long Weekend in Miami in a luxury condo. Donna McKechnie performed for the dessert and coffee finale of the Gala. Ms. McKechnie won a Tony for her performance in “A Chorus Line” and is renowned for song and dance. She was Sally in “Follies”, and toured in “Sweet Charity”, “The Goodbye Girl”, and “I Do! I Do!”, among numerous theatre credits. She also develops cabaret shows, sings in opera productions, and acts in television shows, such as “Cheers” and “Family Ties”. Once again, kudos to the Abingdon Theatre Company on its 16th Anniversary.